Daniel Agger concentrating on league form ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Defender Daniel Agger has denied Liverpool are focusing too closely on their FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Everton following their poor run in the Barclays Premier League.

Kenny Dalglish's side drew 1-1 against Aston Villa on Saturday to extend a league record that has seen them win just once in their past nine matches.

The main interest of the Reds' season now appears to be whether they can add the FA Cup trophy to their Carling Cup success.

With local rivals Everton standing in their way the stage is set for a memorable Wembley showdown on Saturday.

The Reds must first travel to Blackburn in Premier League action tomorrow, however, and Agger has warned turning around their league fortunes is, for the time being, the main priority.

"I don't think next weekend's game is in our heads now," he said.

"We play Blackburn on Tuesday and we have to do a bit better if we want a result there.

"When you play for a club like this it doesn't matter if there is a trophy or not, there is always a lot to play for.

"We have to try to win every single game - especially at Anfield - but that has not happened the last few weeks and we have to turn it around."

Agger made his first appearance for six weeks as a substitute in the home draw with Villa, having returned from a cracked rib.

The Denmark international sustained the injury in the Carling Cup final at the end of February and in his absence the team have lost five of their six league matches.

He admitted it was tough to watch on from the sidelines but is pleased to be back after a testing few weeks.

"It is always nice to be out there," he said.

"It doesn't matter what sort of run (the team is on), it is always difficult watching from the sidelines.

"I should be used to it now (having had injury problems in the past) but it is difficult when you cannot do anything.

"I've only trained two times so it will be a week or two more before I'm fully fit."

The Dane said they had to put their frustrations over the Villa game, in which they created enough opportunities to win, behind them.

"We had a lot of good chances, especially at the end, and we didn't score - that is a fact we cannot do anything about now," he said.

"It is a bit of everything; we are not playing well, we are not working the right way but we are trying everything we can and hopefully it will turn soon."

PA